Nearly half of people in Bedford fully vaccinated against Covid - but Queen's Park is still lagging behind

Nearly half of people in Bedford have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 61,058 people had received both jabs by May 23 – 45 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those to have received both jabs, 53,596 were aged 40 and over – 61 per cent of the age group.

It means 7,462 people aged between 16 and 39 have received both doses.

The NHS vaccine data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas for residents who have received at least one dose.

Across Bedford, 70 per cent of those aged 16 and over have received their first jab.

Areas with the highest coverage:

1) Riseley and Sharnbrook, with 84.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Wootton and Stewartby, 83.6 per cent

3) Putnoe, 80.5 per cent

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Queen's Park, 51.2 per cent

2) Cauldwell, 53.6 per cent

3) Castle and Kingsway, 57.1 per cent

Across England, 19.4 million people had received a second dose of the jab by May 23 – 43 per cent of the population aged over 16 and over.

That includes 17 million people aged 40 and over – 60 per cent of the age group.

In total, 31.6 million people had received at least one dose of a vaccine by the same date, covering 70 per cent of people over 16.

Despite the success of the rollout, some staff at care homes in Bedford have not been vaccinated.

The figures show 1544 out of 1938 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by May 23 – meaning 20 per cent have not had a jab.

The Government is currently in consultation over plans to make the jab mandatory for staff over concerns for residents.